Effect of 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone and testosterone on apoptosis in human dermal papilla cells

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16931898?dopt=AbstractPlus

I frequently hear that testosterone is good for hair, but doesn't this study prove otherwise?

Abstract

Pathogenetic mechanisms in androgenetic alopecia are not yet fully understood; however, it is commonly accepted that androgens like testosterone (T) and 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (5alpha-DHT) inhibit hair follicle activity with early induction of the catagen. Thus, we investigated the influence of T and 5alpha-DHT on proliferation, cell death and bcl-2/bax expression in cultured dermal papilla cells (DPC) from nonbalding scalp regions of healthy volunteers. T and 5alpha-DHT induced apoptosis in DPC in a dose-dependent and time-related manner; in addition a necrotic effect due to T at 10(-5) M was found. Interestingly, bcl-2 protein expression was decreased in T- and 5alpha-DHT-treated cells, leading to an increase in the bax/bcl-2 ratio. In addition, T and 5alpha-DHT induced proteolytic cleavage of caspase 8 and inhibited proliferation of DPC at 10(-5) M. High concentrations of T and 5alpha-DHT were needed to induce apoptotic effects in DPC. These data suggest that DPC from nonbalding scalp regions do have the capacity to undergo apoptosis, but need a high androgen stimulus. The present study provides an interesting new pathogenetic approach in androgenetic alopecia.

Not sure if I understood this correctly. Nonbalding men's scalp have a higher resistance to androgen stimulus?

What's the real difference between non-balding and balding dermal papilla cells? Most likely oxidation sensitivity.
In other words, free radicals can determine whether T/DHT will be an issue or not.

One way to tell is insulin sensitivity. The less effective it is, the worse the oxidation. Hence, a pro-inflammatory effect on dermal papilla cells.

What would happen if an insulin resistance man were given an injection of testosterone? Usually, a higher estrogen conversion will occur by way of aromatization (sometimes called "hyperaromatization"), which converts a lot of that testosterone into estrogen.

Another factor to consider is that DHT inhibits IGF-1 in the dermal papilla cell. If one has robust insulin sensitivity, they will be less prone to IGF-1 shortages under the influence of T/DHT. Furthermore, if one does not consume oxidation products, takes a variety of fat and water soluble antioxidants, they will be less prone to this form of oxidation.

Growth Horm IGF Res. 2011 Oct;21(5):260-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ghir.2011.07.003. Epub 2011 Aug 11.

Also bear in mind that usually DNA molecules have a negative charge...during the sleep and fall out stages of hair growth there are increasing levels of positive charges. DHT produces a positive charge which weakens the electrical attraction between unformed germ cells and the dermal papilla. Insulin resistance state exacerbates the negative effect of DHT.

What wound 'earthing' potentially do then, except increasing the number of free electrons?